An idea about the principles on how
to combine agriculture and entrepreneurship is indeed an indispensible
knowledge. This was simply shown on our AGSC 3 subject.
We established planting cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, into a pot culture
set-up. We chose the pickling cucumber that is gynoecious in nature (meaning it
bears only female flowers) to achieve better fruit yield. We also observed
pre-plant management practices such as preparation of media to where the
seedlings be transplanted (composed of one-third compost, one-third carbonized
rice hull, and one-third clay soil). After that, proper pricking process was
employed upon transplanting of seedlings to avoid greater damage.
The next part of the process after
transplanting was constant monitoring and checking of pests and regular
watering of plants, as well as application of organic fertilizer dalfos (calcium phosphate from guano).
In watering, all plants received equal amounts, for it is also used not only
for production but also for research purposes. The amount of organic fertilizer
is the experimental variable here, hence it was varied. Also, the trellises
were established as preparation in such time that the plant is ready to climb.
Thirty-five (35) days after
transplanting, the plants produced fruits harvestable at its gherkin state
(size of the fruit around three (3) inches long appropriate for processing into
pickled cucumbers). In harvesting, the fruits were carefully weighed with the
respect to the research. The harvested cucumbers then underwent brining
(soaking at a 20% salt solution for fifteen (15) days). For now, we’re still
waiting until we are able to continue the pickling process.
This, though still on the process,
sprouts the idea in our minds that in agriculture, the possibility of
generating income is very evident. Requiring only a creative and innovative
mind and a pursuant heart, this will let you be successful.
